Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa
When someone truly lives the teaching, their goodness spills over, even the people around them get lifted along.
Nothing really blocks such a heart, and something sweet lives on their words, like nectar on the tongue.
On our own, weighed down and forgetful, we can feel like we are sinking, but one Glance of grace lifts us and carries us across.
When someone truly lives the Guru's teaching, their goodness lifts the people around them too.
Satgur sayvi-aa pi-aaray — "those who serve the True Guru, Beloved." The satgur, the True Guru, is the teacher who shows the way to the One. Tin kay saath taray — their companions are carried across too. Goodness spreads, the way one friend's laugh can set off a whole room.
Amrit rasan haray — the One's sweet nectar, amrit, is on their tongue. Their words come out kind.
Then Guru Nanak is honest about the rest of us. Booday bhaaray bhai binaa — without awe, we grow heavy and sink. Bhai here means a loving awe of the One. But the verse ends with a rescue: taaray nadar karay — one Glance of grace, nadar, carries us across. Grace is a rescue freely given, not a prize we earn.
Who is someone whose goodness has lifted you along with them?
Translation by Dr. Sant Singh Khalsa·How we use AI